System



1931. F. w. OBENHAUS ET AL 18,239

SYSTEM OF HEAT CONTROL Original Filed Jan; 30, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 De 15, 931- F. w OBENHAUS ET AL 13,289

SYSTEM OF HEAT CONTROL Original Filed Jan. 30,

1922 2 Shee csShee t 2 mam 4710M Reiuued Dec. 15, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS W. OBENHAUB, OF GLENDALE, AND GEORGE R. ADAMS, OF LOS ANGELE, GALI- FORNLA, ASSIGNOBS, BY IESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO GAS FURNACE CONTROL (1)., A

CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA srs'rmr OF HEAT CONTROL Original No. 1,581,288, dated July 6, 1926, Serial No. 532,927, filed January 30, 1922. Application for reissue filed April 18, 1927. Serial No. 184,780.

Our invention relates to heating systems and is particularly applicable to systems used to heat residences, stores or other buildings.

The rincipal object of our invention is to provlde means for controlling a gas heater used in such heating and to provide means for so controlling the gas heater that several de rees of heat may be obtained therefrom.

still further object of the invention is to effect this control from a point remote from the heater and to provide indicating means remote from the heater for indicating the exact condition of the fire in that heater at any moment.

In addition to the general s stem of control by which the degrees 0 heat in the heater may be controlled and indicated, our

invention embodies a novel form of valve foraccomplishing these objects and a novel form of push button switch, all of whichwill be described hereinafter.

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only.

Fig. 1 is a sectionthrough a portion of a residence equipped with apparatus embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of connections.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the push button switch.

Fig. 4 is a back view of the push button switch. 1

Fig. 5 is a section on a plane'indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a section on a plane indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the valve mechanism, this mechanism being broken away and separated to better illustrate its structure.

Fig. 8 is a section through the mechanism shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a diagram of the ratchet mechanism.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the valve mechanism.

Our invention may be applied to any sort of heating, but it is particularly applicable to store and residence heating, and in Fig. 1 we show a gas heater applied to such use.

In this drawing, 11 is a heater having a burner 12 which is supplied with gas through a valve 13 from a gas supply pipe 14. A

pilot pipe 15 supplies a pilot burner independent of the valve 13. The operation of the valve 13 is controlled from a push button switch 16, wires being run through conduits 17 from the push button switch 16 to the valve 13. The heater is provided with a pipe 18 delivering hot air through a register 19 to an upper floor of the building.

It will be noted that the push button switch 16 is situated at a point remote from the heater. By the term remote from the heater, we are to be understood to mean a point sufliciently far away from the heater so that the heater can not be seen by the person 0 erating the control. The push, button sw tch 16 contains a push button 20, a high light 21, and a low light 22. In practical operation, in the employment of the invention, shown, the operation of the heater is controlled wholly by thepush button switch 16. If, for example, the main burner"is extinguished, and the pilot flame only is burning, the heater may be said to be in the off position. If it is desired to start the heater, the push button 20 is actuated and the valve means 13 is operated a small amount allow ing a low flame. The-fact that only the low flame is burning is indicated by the low light 22. By suitable manipulation of the switch, as Wlll hereinafter be explained, the valve means 13 can either be returned to the off position or to the intermediate position or to a high osition, all of which will be readily indicated by the high and low lights21 and 22, as-will hereinafter be described.

Considered broadly, our invention comprises a system of multiple control, above described. That is to say, a system by which.

an operator at a remote point can not only turn the gas 011' and on, but can also provide several degrees of intensity of the flame from this remote point. The method ofaccomplishing these results will be understood from the following description of the apparatus and its method of operation.

The push button switch 16 is shown in detail in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 and consists of 32. The face plate 31 is a standard flushswitch face plate which is so arranged that the insulating block readily fits in the standard wall receptacles now in common use throughout the UnitedStates. Secured in cavities in the block 30 are four clips 33 which are of proper shape to take a telephone lamp 34, the filament 35 and tip 36 of this lamp projecting through the face late 31 so that they are readily visible an are also .well protected from mechanical injury. There are two of these lamps 34 numbered 21 and 22 in the previous description. Situated between the clips 33 are a pair of clips 37 which are adapted to be connected together by amoving contact 38 carried on the ush button 20, the push button being eld against the plate 31 by means of a spring 39. When the push button 20 is pushed upwardly the contact 38 completes the circuit between the contacts 37. One of the contacts 37 is connected by means of a single bar 40 with two of the contacts 33.

It may be stated that this particular form of push button switch has only been devel oped b us after a great deal of experimental and research work, and that we consider the switch an invention in itself.

The valve 13 is illustrated in Figs. 7,8, 9 and 10 and preferably consists of a brass casting having an inlet opening formed in an extension 51 and an outlet opening formed in an extension 52. Gas pipesmay be connected into the extensions 51 and 52. The inlet opening communicates with an inlet chamber 53 and the outlet opening communicates with an outlet chamber 54. These chambers are separated by a wall 55 having ing mgy be regulated, and thus the amount of ame with either poppet open can be regulated.

The poppets 61 or 62" are operated by a shaft having pins 71 thereon, these pins cooperating with under faces of the lever arm 63 to raise the poppets against the action of the springs 65. Notches 72 are formed in the lever arms 63, receiving the pins 71 to allow the poppets to seat when the shaft 70 pases certain points in its rotation. The pins 71 are so placed that the proper sequence of operation of the poppets 61 and 62 is secured, as will hereinafter be explained. The shaft 70 is turned through predetermined angular distances to lift either or both of the poppets, as will hereinafter be explained, this turning being accomplished by a single magnet coil 80 which attracts a magnet plunger 81. The plunger 81 is connected through a connecting rod 82 with a pin 83 of a beam 84 which is free to turn on the shaft 70. Rigidly secured to the shaft 7.0 is a ratchet wheel 85. This ratchet wheel is advanced by means of a pulling dog '86 carried on the beam 84, the beam 84 being normally held in the position shown in Fig. 7 by means of the spring 87. When the coil 8O is energized, the core .lifts the pawl 88 out of engagement with the ratchet wheel 85 when the core 81 moves into the off position shown in Fig. 7.

It will be evident that each downward movement of the core 81 working through the beam 84 and the pawls 86, 88 and 89 tends to turn the shaft through a certain predetermined distance. The teeth of the ratchet wheel 85 are so spaced the pins '71 are so placed that in what may be called the off position neither of the pins 71 engage thelevers 63 and both of the pop ets 61 and 62 are solidly seated, cutting o all flow of gas to the heater 11.

The first actuation of the plunger 81 then turns the shaft 70 through such a distance that the poppet 61 is lifted from its seat. On the next actuation of the plunger 81 this poppet may be seated, thus turning off.

the supply of gas to the heater. On the next actuation thepoppet 62 is lifted, thus givmg what may be termed a medium heat. The next actuation preferably seats both poppets, thus turning off the supply of heat. The next actuation lifts both poppets, thus giving a maximum flow of gas and the succeeding and last movement again closes both poppets, thus providing for no supply of gas to the heater. It-will thus be seen that the valve 13 is moved by means of the plunger 81 successively to an ofi position,- to a low position, to an off osition, to a medium position, to an ofi position, to a high position, and to an off position. There are three positions corresponding to three degrees of heat and three intermediate positions corresponding to no heat.

It is to be understood that while we consider this a preferable and desirable arrangement, we do not 'wish to be limited to this particular sequence of operation.

For the purpose of indicating to the user of the heater the exact condition of the valve 13, and of the fire in the heater, we provide a commutator which comprises a piece of insulating material 91 carrying three strips of metal 92, 93 and 94. These strips contact with fingers 95, 96 and 97 which are carried on an insulating member 98 carried on the casting 50. The member 90 is solidly fastened on the shaft 70 and turns therewith. This member serves to energize the lights 21 and 22 by means of a connection shown in Fig. 2 in which 100 is a battery which is connected at its positive terminal through a wire 101 with the strip 40 in the switch 16. This connects the positive side of the battery to. each of the lights 21 and 22 and to one of the contacts 37. The other contact 37 is connected to one terminal of the coil 80, which, in turn, is connected by a wire 103 with the negative side of the battery.

.It is thus evident that by pushing upon the.

P 95, 96 and 97 on the high, intermediate and low positions of the valve 13. The operator can thus tell by looking at the lights 21 and 22 whether the poppet 61 or the poppet 62 or both poppets or neither poppet is open.

In practical operation, the low li ht indicates a low degree of heat, the high light indicates a medium degree of heat, and both lights indicate the greatest degree of heat.

For the purpose of making it possible to operate manually at the furnace when it is desired to observe the operation, or to adjust the screws 66, a knurled knob is provided on the end of the shaft 70 outside the cover 66, this knob having arbitrary figures 111 which indicate the position of thepoppets 61 and 62. The knurled knob is provided with a flange 112 having a hole 113 therein. A sliding bolt 115 is provided in the cover 66, this bolt being adapted to be pushed out into the hole 113 and thus mechanically lock the shaft 70 against movement. The hole 113 is so placed that this locking can only take place when both of the poppets 61 and 62 are seated.

When, for any reason, it is desired to shut the furnace down, as for example, during the summer months, the bolt 115 is moved to positively lock the shaft 70 and prevent the gas from being turned on accidently or the switch 16is locate point where it indicates the. condition of the maliciously when the householder does not need it.

It will be seen that our invention provides a ready means for controlling a gas heater, the operator being able to obtain three degrees of heat from a point at a distance from the heater, and particularly at the point at whichthe heat is bein used. In practice, at some convenient furnace at a glance due to the lights 21 and 22.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a heating system, the combination of: a gas heater; valve means controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively small flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas to said heater, or a position intermediatev the low and high positions, or an off position, entirely shutting oil the flow of gas to said heater; means by which a person at a point remote from said heater ma cause said valve to assume any one of sai positions; and means independent of said last named means for differently indicating to a person remote from said heater every position of said valve.

2. In a heating system, the combination of: a gas heater; valve means controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relatively small flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flowof as to said heater, or a position intermediate the low and high positions, or an ofl:' position, entirely shutting off the flow of gas to said heater; contacts controlled by the position of said valve means; electro-responsiveeans, remote from the heater; "for'difierently indicating to a person, remote from the heater, every position of said valve. means; electric conductors connecting said contacts with said electro-responsive means; and means by which a person at a point remote from said heater may cause said valve to assume any one of said positions.

3. In a heating system, the combination of a gas heater; valve means controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, ad-

mitting a relatively small flow of gas to said heater, or a high position, admitting a relatively large flow of gas tosaid heater, or a position intermediate the low and high positions, or an off position, entirely shutting 05 the flow of gas to said heater; contacts controlled by the position of said valve means; electro-responsive means, remote from the heater, for differently indicating to a person, remote from the heater, every position of said valve means; electric conductors connecting said contacts with said electro-respo'n'sive means; electrically o erated means;

, ,step-by-step mechanism by w ic h said elec- 'trically operated means, successively moves said valve-means-from one position to another, each step serving to move said valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; and means by which a person, remote from said heater, may energize said electrically operated means.

4, In a valve: walls forminga chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to. close said apertures; I and lever arms onwhich said poppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms beingpivotally mounted.

5. In "a valve walls forming a chamber,.

- a pm tion au dividing said chamber into an: inletchamber and anoutlet chamber,

" said partition wall having aplurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of pop- "pet'sadapted to close said apertures; ad-

justable means for regulating the flow of ,fluid from said inlet chamber through said "apertures; and lever'arms on which said "poppetsfar'e' pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivotally mounted.

6. Ina-valve: walls forming a chamber,

' a partition walldi'viding said chamber into an'inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partitionlwall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a' plurality of poppets adapted :to close said apertures; lever 'arms on which said poppets are pivotally E mounted; said lever arms being pivotally mounted; and mean's tending to hold said poppets seated.

7. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a

. partition wallidividing said, chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which mounted, said lever arms being pivotally said poppets are pivotally mounted; "means tending to-hold said poppets seated, said lever arms having notches cut 7' therein; a shaft; and pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to be received in said notches to allow said-poppets to seat when said'shaft is further rotated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or any combination, of said poppetsmay be unseated.

*" 8. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a

partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to closesaid apertures; adjustable means for regulating the flow of fluid from said inlet chamber through said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted,

said levers arms being pivotally mounted,

said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; and ins extending radially from said shaft an adapted to "engage said lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to be received in saidnotches to allow said poppets to seat w 11 said shaft isfurther rotated, said pinsbeing' so disposed that any one, 'or any combination, of said poppets may be unseated. I

9. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamberand an outlet chamber, said partition wall having a" plurality of apertures therethrough;a plurality of poppets adapted to'close said apertures; lever mounted, said lever'arms being pivotally mounted; means tending to hold said poppets seated, saidlever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is'rotated and to be received in said notches to allow said. poppet-s to seat when said shaft is further rotated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or any combination, of saidpoppets may be unseated; a beam mounted on said shaft and free to turnthereon; a pulling dog secured to said beam; a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on said arms on which said poppets are pivotally J shaft and adapted to be engaged by said I dog; a stop pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel; and means tending to keep said stop pawl in engagement with said ratchet wheel, said lever being formed to disengage said stop pawl from said ratchet wheel.

10. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a partition wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet cha'mber,-said partition wall having a plurality of apertures therethrough; a plurality of poppets ada ted to close said apertures; lever arms on w ich said poppets are pivotally mounted, said leverarms being. pivotally mounted; means tending to hold said poppets seated, said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radially from said shaft and adapted to engage said lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to be received in said notches to I mounted on said beam; a'solenoid in which said plunger moves reciprocally; and means tending to keep said plunger in out posi tion with relation to said solenoid, and electrical circuits, including said solenoid, for drawing said plunger into said solenoid, thus to rotate said shaf 11. In a valve: walls forming a chamber, a partition'wall dividing said chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, said partition 'wall having a plurality of apertures th'erethrough; a plurality of poppets adapted to close said apertures; lever arms on which said poppets are pivotally mounted, said lever arms being pivo'tally mounted; means tending to hold said poppets seated, said lever arms having notches cut therein; a shaft; pins extending radiall from said shaft and adapted to engage sai lever arms to unseat said poppets when said shaft is rotated and to be received in said notches to allow said poppets to seat when said shaft is further rotated, said pins being so disposed that any one, or any combination, of said poppets may be unseated; a beam mounted on said shaftand free to turn thereon; a pulling dog secured to said beam; a ratchet wheel fixedly mounted on said shaft ,and,adapted to be engaged by said dog; a stop pawl adapted to engage said ratchet wheel; means tending to keep said stop pawl in engagement with said ratchet wheel, said lever being formed to disengage said stop pawl from said ratchet wheel; a plunger pivotally mounted on said beam; a solenoid in which said plunger moves reciprocally; means tending to keep 'said plunger in out position with relation to said solenoid, and electrical circuits, including said solenoid, for drawing said plunger into said solenoid, thus to rotate said shaft; and electrical means for indicating the positions of said poppets.

12. In a heating system, the combination I of: a gas heater; valve means controlling the flow of gas to said heater, said means being adapted to assume a low position, admitting a relativel heater, or a big position, admitting a relativel large flow of gas to said heater, or an o posltion, entirely shutting off the flow of as to said heater; contacts controlled by t e position of said valve means; electroresponsive means, remote from the heater, for differently indicating to a person, remote from the heater, every position of said valve means; electric conductors connecting said cont-acts with said electro-responsive means; electrically operated means; step-by-step mechanism by which said electrically oper ated means successively moves said valve small flow of gas to said from said heater, may energize said electrically operated means.

13. The combination of: valve means adapted to control the flow of a fluid, said means being adapted to assume a low position, at which it may pass a relatively small flow of fluid, or ahigh position, at which it may pass a relatively large flow of fluid, or an'ofl position, at which the. flow of fluid may be entirely shut off contacts controlled by the position of said valve means; electro-responsive means, remote from said valve means, for differently indicating to a person, remote from said valve means, every position of said valve means; electrio conductors connecting said contacts with said electro-responsive means; electri-. cally operated means; step-by-step mechanism by which said electrically operated means successively moves said valve means from one position to another, each step serving to move said valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; and means by which a person, remote from said valve means, may energize said electrically operated means.

- In testimony whereof, we have signed our names to this s ecification.

FR NCIS W. OBENHAUS.

GEORGE R. ADAMS.

means from one position to another, each 7 step serving to move said valve from a closed position to one of its open positions or vice versa; and means by WhlOh a person, remote 

